Today / 16.06 Sedgefield

16.06

Good

Michael Watson Civils & Groundworks Durham National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £14308.25
  • 3m 5f 48y
  • Class 2
  • 6 runners
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Michael Watson Civils & Groundworks Durham National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: -321F1 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; consistent over hurdles and fences for new yard; that's mostly at about 2m4f/2m5f, including a win over these fences in September and another over hurdles at Fontwell 16 days ago, but he was also runner-up over 2m7f at Worcester in August; fell at the second in a 3m2f race on penultimate start, so his stamina for this remains a guess, and he's 4lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Oct 2026

Good

3m 5f 48y

Class 2

15:20 Sedgefield

Ivane

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Record of 2-2 over fences at Sedgefield includes a success in this contest last year (good) off 3lb lower; ended 2025 with a creditable second behind Red Delta in the Lincolnshire National; less solid on 2026 form but a revival is plausible returned to this scenario after a 103-day break.

13/2

2

7th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Ivane

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Has won two of his 12 races over fences, most recently over 3m5f at Sedgefield last October (good), but not in top form on last three starts.

100/30

13/8

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1-11F1

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; signed off for Tim Vaughan with four consecutive wins in May-July, by a street at Cartmel (3m1f, good) on final occasion; there were some jumping scares in that four-timer and he fell on stable debut in September but no problems winning at Warwick (3m) one week later, when he was unchallenged and raced away again on run-in; up another 9lb but it's the extra distance which gives him most to prove today; big chance if he stays.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Bumpy Evans

11st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Front-runner who is 5-10 over fences but the handicapper is beginning to look in charge and he worryingly refused to race last week at Market Rasen; cheekpieces are soon turned to.

9/2

4

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Bumpy Evans

11st 8lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Free-going front-runner with 5-9 strike-rate over fences; unable to justify favouritism but still ran well before weakening into third at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good) last month, after a break, and could be hard to catch here if that run has brought him on.

5/2

3rd

6

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Bumpy Evans

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Front-runner who is 5-8 over fences and he found more progress when runner-up in the Durham National (3m5f, good) in October; this is a different test on his return but he still looks on a workable mark and was successful over 2m4f last spring; has worn a hood in all of his chase runs but the headgear is missing today.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 11-112 BF

Last run: 90 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Revitalised 9yo who won five consecutive chases in March-June before his form levelled out again with a creditable second at Cartmel in July; has proven stamina (won the Highland National at Perth in April) and has never been better, so needs respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

31st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:19 Cartmel

Fairlawn Flyer

10st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Effective on good and soft ground; gained three of his ten chase wins over C&D; not firing on all cylinders since returning from a break in May, though, and needs last month's wind operation to have made a difference.

12/1

3rd

4

7th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Fairlawn Flyer

11st 8lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Mickey Bowen

Has won ten of his 30 chases, four of them last year; hasn't been in quite such good form this term, last time finishing 8l fourth of six at Cartmel (3m1f, good), but he's on a good mark now.

11/2

4th

6

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

15:50 Cartmel

Fairlawn Flyer

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Admirable strike-rate of 10-29 over fences; won this 12 months ago off 1lb higher and had only five starts in the meantime, the latest respectable in a higher grade behind stablemate Stratagem; chance.

4/1

Form: 56-227 CD

Last run: 112 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Game and often front-runner; won this prize in 2023 and best form in 2024 (before fair third in this race); runner-up over fences and hurdles in May (after a break) before a lesser show in June on latest outing but that was over just 2m5f; 6lb below his peak mark and should be seriously involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

18th Oct 2026

Good

3m 5f 48y

Class 2

15:20 Sedgefield

Tommie Beau

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Retains plenty of vitality despite his advancing years; prevailed by 1l at Cartmel (3m1f) most recently, registering his 16th win; has form figures of 134 in this race, beaten a long way 12 months ago; returns off 8lb lower but some of his younger rivals may hold sway.

5/1

1st

4

31st Aug 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:19 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

11st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Popular veteran who runs this track well and capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) in May; back up in trip after very respectable fourth over hurdles here (2m6f, good) last month, and won't object to the forecast rain (won this race on heavy ground in 2024); must be considered.

5/1

4th

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Popular veteran who runs this track well and capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) in May; this drop back in trip is not ideal on his return to hurdling, though; cheekpieces (worn for last three races) left off today.

10/1

Form: 7-7231

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
First chase win was in October 2023 and the second wasn't until last month but he thoroughly dominated a four-runner race at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) on that latest outing, returning to his best; unraced beyond that and needs to find a bit extra given he's back up 7lb, so connections enlist 7lb-claiming amateur who's already won a hurdle race for them this week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

15th Sep 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

16:00 Uttoxeter

Bagheera Ginge

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Two wins over 2m6f on good to firm at Stratford in the summer (both with a visor); beaten when coming down three out on same track last time (2m3f); return to this longer trip should suit.

11/2

3

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

18:36 Stratford

Bagheera Ginge

11st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Front-runner who is 2-3 since fitted with a visor this season, with both wins gained over 2m6f here (good to firm); may not have things all his own way today and this drop back in trip is probably not ideal but further progress is not out of the question.

5/1

Form: -5P834

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
5lb out of the handicap today, which wouldn't be too bad judged on his peak form for Matt Sheppard (three chase wins at 2m4f-2m5f towards end of 2024); however, he's only once shown something similar in his five starts since, when third at this track (2m3f) on the second of his three runs for new yard; tried 2m on latest outing and this new trip asks a big question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

17:30 Cartmel

Moodofthemoment

10st 13lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: David Thompson

Has won four chases and latest was at Newcastle in October (2m4f, good); well handicapped on that form but he's been disappointing since and was pulled up at Perth two weeks ago.

16/1

3

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 4

15:18 Perth

Moodofthemoment

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: David Thompson

Has won four chases, all over this trip, the latest at Newcastle in October (good); fair third at Hexham last time (2m4f, good); a possible.

11/2

3rd

3

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:13 Hexham

Moodofthemoment

11st 11lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: David Thompson

Four chase wins, latest at Newcastle last October (2m4f, good); not fared as well since, but now back on last winning mark.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.20
Straight Forecast £12.32
Trifecta £57.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Bumpy Evans

POSTDATA:

Bagheera Ginge

SPOTLIGHT:

Fairlawn Flyer

TOPSPEED:

Bumpy Evans

The Times:

Bumpy Evans

Daily Mirror:

Bumpy Evans

Telegraph:

Bagheera Ginge

D Express:

Bagheera Ginge

Daily Record:

Bagheera Ginge

The Sun:

Fairlawn Flyer

The Star:

Fairlawn Flyer